Should we seek "shifā’- شفاء" (healing) from Allah only for physical healing?

Whenever someone falls sick, we pray to Allah to bless him with shifā’- شفاء" and early recovery from ailment. For indeed Allah is "Ash-Shafi" (ٱلـشَّافِى), meaning "the Healer" or "the Curer." It emphasizes Allah's power to heal and cure all kinds of illnesses. Ash-Shafi is derived from the Arabic root word "shafa" (شفا), meaning "to cure" or "to heal." 

But should we seek healing from Allah only for physical ailments? Shouldnt that undermine the immense powers of Allah and restrict these to physical healing only? Let us dwell over the Arabic word "shifā’- شفاء" and try to find the magnitude of this word in the light of Qur'an and Hadith.

Meaning of Shifā’: Linguistically, Shifā’ (شفاء) simply means cure, healing, or remedy. It is the opposite of illness (marad).

In the Islamic context, shifā’ can refer to:

• Physical Healing: 
• This is the most common understanding, that is cure from illness, pain, or injury.
• For example: when someone is sick, we ask Allah for shifā’ (healing). “Allahumma rabba an-naas, adhhib al-ba’s, ishfi anta ash-shaafi...” (“O Allah, Lord of mankind, remove the harm and heal; You are the Healer...”)
• Spiritual Healing
• Cure for spiritual / emotional diseases: While following emotional setbacks aren't classified as diseases in a medical sense, they can be detrimental to mental and emotional well-being and can be associated with certain mental health conditions. They can lead to various negative consequences and, in extreme cases, may be symptoms of more serious disorders. 
• Hypocrisy: According to psychology, hypocracy is deflection to avoid dealing with our own problems because we don't want to be judged. At the root of hypocrisy is a strong desire to be loved and accepted. The fear of humility and judgment is so powerful, that we use doublethink and cognitive dissonance to avoid facing ourselves. 
• Envy: Envy is a complex emotion that can have a significant impact on mental and emotional health. It can lead to feelings of resentment, bitterness, and even depression. Chronic envy can also damage self-esteem and relationships.
• Hate: Hate is a powerful emotion that can lead to harmful behaviors and relationships. It can manifest in various ways, from verbal abuse to violence. Hate can also be a symptom of more serious mental health conditions, such as personality disorders or psychosis. 
• Arrogance: Arrogance is often characterized by an excessive sense of self-importance and an inflated opinion of one's own abilities or status. It can be associated with narcissism and can lead to interpersonal difficulties.  
• Emotional grief:  While grief can sometimes be intense or prolonged, it's not classified as a disease unless it becomes a more complex condition like Prolonged Grief Disorder. , 
• Malice "Bugz": "Bugz" likely refers to the Urdu word "bughz," which means malice, grudge, hatred, or enmity. It can also be used in a more general way to describe anything that is considered annoying, irritating, or bothersome. In the context of Rekhta Dictionary, "bughz" is a noun referring to the concept of ill-will, while the term "bug" in English can refer to a fault, flaw, or an annoying insect. Keeping excessive malice in one's heart against others often results into many a mental disorder, sometimes incurable.
• Islam recognizes emotional pain and prescribes du‘ā’, dhikr, and turning to Allah as a means of emotional shifā’.
• The Qur'an itself is called a source of shifā’ for the heart and soul: "And We send down of the Qur’an that which is a healing and mercy for the believers..." (Surah Al-Isra 17:82)
• Intercession (Shafā‘ah) – Different but related concept
• Just to clarify: Shifā’ (healing) is not the same as Shafā‘ah (intercession), though the root is similar.
• Shafā‘ah is when someone intercedes on behalf of another – like the Prophet ﷺ interceding on Judgment Day.

Now back to our question: Is shifā’ only asked for physical illness?

In light of above explanation, the answer is No, it's not limited to that. In Islam, a believer may ask for shifā’ in all aspects:

• For physical illness: “اللهم اشفِ فلانًا” — "O Allah, heal so-and-so."
• For spiritual or inner peace: “اللهم اشفِ قلبي” — "O Allah, heal my heart."
• Quoting the Qur’an: “...فِيهِ شِفَاءٌ لِلنَّاسِ” (In it [honey] is healing for people) – [Surah An-Nahl 16:69]

References from Qur'an and Hadiths:

Here is a list of Qur'anic verses and authentic Prophetic du‘ās that mention or seek shifā’ (healing) — for physical, spiritual, or emotional well-being.

• Qur'anic Verses About Shifā’ (Healing)
• Surah Al-Isra (17:82):  
• This refers to the Qur’an as spiritual and emotional healing
• "وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ" - “And We send down from the Qur’an that which is a healing and mercy for the believers.”
• Surah Fussilat (41:44):
• Here again, the Qur’an is described as a source of spiritual healing.
• "...قُلْ هُوَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا هُدًى وَشِفَاءٌ..." - “Say: It is, for those who believe, a guidance and a healing.”
• Surah Ash-Shu‘ara (26:80): 
• This is the du‘ā of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) – acknowledging that only Allah gives shifā’.
• "وَإِذَا مَرِضْتُ فَهُوَ يَشْفِينِ" - “And when I am ill, it is He who cures me.”
• 4. Surah An-Nahl (16:69)
• Refers to honey as a natural healing remedy – endorsed in the Qur’an and Sunnah.
• "فِيهِ شِفَاءٌ لِلنَّاسِ" - “In it [honey] is healing for people.”
• Prophetic Du‘ās (Sunnah) Seeking Shifā’
• Du‘ā of the Prophet ﷺ for illness (Sahih al-Bukhari, 5675):
• This is one of the most comprehensive du‘ās for any type of healing:
• "اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ النَّاسِ، أَذْهِبِ الْبَأْسَ، اشْفِ أَنْتَ الشَّافِي، لَا شِفَاءَ إِلَّا شِفَاؤُكَ، شِفَاءً لَا يُغَادِرُ سَقَمًا" - “O Allah, Lord of mankind, remove the harm and heal. You are the Healer. There is no healing but Yours, a healing that leaves no illness behind.”
• Du‘ā with Ruqyah (for yourself or others) – [Muslim, 2192]:
• "بِسْمِ اللَّهِ أَرْقِيكَ، مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ يُؤْذِيكَ، مِنْ شَرِّ كُلِّ نَفْسٍ، أَوْ عَيْنٍ حَاسِدٍ، اللَّهُ يَشْفِيكَ، بِسْمِ اللَّهِ أَرْقِيكَ"
  “In the name of Allah, I perform ruqyah for you, from everything that harms you, from the evil of every soul and envious eye. May Allah heal you. In the name of Allah, I perform ruqyah for you.”
• This is often recited for protection from envy, spiritual or unseen harm.
• Du‘ā of distress or sadness – [Abu Dawud, 5090]:
• "اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ..." “O Allah, I seek refuge in You from anxiety and sorrow...”
• Indirectly connected to emotional shifā’.
• Du‘ā for someone sick – [Tirmidhi, 2083]:
• "أَسْأَلُ اللهَ الْعَظِيمَ، رَبَّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ، أَنْ يَشْفِيَكَ" - “I ask Allah the Magnificent, Lord of the Magnificent Throne, to heal you.” (Repeat 7 times)
• Highly recommended for visiting the sick.

As for physical healing, A’ishah (RA), the third wife of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ narrates that whenever the Prophet ﷺ would become sick, he would recite [the last 3 Surahs of the Qur’an] and then blow over his body. She says: During his last illness from which he passed away, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to blow over himself. But when his sickness intensified, I used to (recite and then) blow over him using his own hands because of their blessings.

Thus, in the light of Qur'an and Hadiths, "shifā’- شفاء"  is not related to healing and cure from physical ailment but also cure from all kinds of spiritual ailments too, which in fact more often than not become a reason for physical ailment. Let us turn to Allah whenever we are physically or spiritually ill and be rest assured Allah responds with endless "shifā’- شفاء" and redresses our ailment. However, for physical ailment, one should also take prescribed medication and then leave the revoery to Allah for in the end it is Allah alone who blesses us with "shifā’- شفاء" .

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Photo | references: Help has been taken from ChatGPT for expansion.

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What is Ruqyya and How Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used this form of healing

Everyone of us is prone to ailments, diseases and fevers. This is not something new as today these ailments are attributed to exposure to germs, infections or incapacity of the immune system to fight back the bacteria or virus that creep into our bodies. Other factors, such as dehydration, diet, and environment, can also raise the risk of getting sick. In the absence of medical treatment in the bygone days, people consulted men  who knew about herbs and other natural remedies for curing of the ailment.

This was also so during the times of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ when the harsh summers, draught and inappropriate diet or even access to food due to poverty, people would get sick and looked for treatment from herbs and other means. However, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would often used a spiritual method of healing to cure the sick. 

This method is mentioned in Sahi al-Bukhārī  (Book 76:  Medicine / كتاب الطب / Chapter 38:  The Ruqya of the Prophet (saws) / باب  رُقْيَةِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم / as Hadith 5743, given herein under:

Narrated `Aisha: The Prophet (ﷺ) used to treat some of his wives by passing his right hand over the place of ailment and used to say, "O Allah, the Lord of the people! Remove the trouble and heal the patient, for You are the Healer. No healing is of any avail but Yours; healing that will leave behind no ailment."

Arabic Text:

حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، حَدَّثَنِي سُلَيْمَانُ، عَنْ مُسْلِمٍ، عَنْ مَسْرُوقٍ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يُعَوِّذُ بَعْضَ أَهْلِهِ، يَمْسَحُ بِيَدِهِ الْيُمْنَى وَيَقُولُ ‏ "‏ اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ النَّاسِ أَذْهِبِ الْبَاسَ، اشْفِهِ وَأَنْتَ الشَّافِي، لاَ شِفَاءَ إِلاَّ شِفَاؤُكَ، شِفَاءً لاَ يُغَادِرُ سَقَمًا ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَ سُفْيَانُ حَدَّثْتُ بِهِ مَنْصُورًا فَحَدَّثَنِي عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ مَسْرُوقٍ عَنْ عَائِشَةَ نَحْوَهُ‏.‏

Ruqyya in Islamic tradition refers to the practice of spiritual healing, often involving the recitation of specific prayers, verses from the Qur’an, and supplications (duas) to seek healing from illness, both physical and spiritual. 

Let’s break down the hadith and the concept of Ruqyya:

Ruqyya as a Healing Method

In this hadith, Aisha (RA), the beloved wife of the Prophet ﷺ, describes how the Prophet ﷺ would use his right hand to perform a form of healing on those who were ill, especially his wives. This is a physical and spiritual act of healing, where the Prophet ﷺ would recite a prayer and place his hand on the affected area of the body.

Words of Healing: The prayer recited by the Prophet ﷺ in this hadith is deeply meaningful and reflects a strong sense of tawheed (monotheism). By calling upon Allah as "the Lord of the people" and recognizing that only He can truly heal, the Prophet ﷺ was emphasizing that no matter what the treatment or remedy, the ultimate source of healing is Allah alone. The phrase "healing that will leave behind no ailment" signifies the complete and perfect healing that only Allah can provide—healing that is permanent and free of side effects.

Spiritual and Physical Healing: The act of touching the affected area while reciting the prayer could be seen as an example of spiritual ruqyya, where the Prophet ﷺ combined both physical touch and spiritual supplication to seek Allah's help in curing the illness. It’s a holistic approach to healing—invoking Allah’s mercy while acknowledging human limits.

Concept of Ruqyya in Islam:

Ruqyya refers to the recitation of specific Qur'anic verses and supplications to seek protection or healing from harm, disease, or other negative influences. The concept of ruqyya stems from the understanding that Allah is the ultimate healer and that the Qur’an contains divine words that have healing properties.

Sources of Ruqyya:

The supplications used in Ruqyya are chosen from Qur'an and many prayers made by Prophet ﷺ:

• Qur'anic Verses: Certain verses from the Qur'an are frequently used in ruqyya, such as Surah Al-Fatiha, Surah Al-Baqarah (2:255-257), Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq, and Surah An-Naas.
• Prophet’s Duas: The supplications (duas) of the Prophet ﷺ are also widely used for healing. These include the prayer mentioned in the hadith you shared.

Types of Ruqyya:

Central to the practice of ruqyya is the absolute belief in Tawheed, which means that healing is solely in the hands of Allah. While seeking medical treatment or using spiritual healing, a Muslim should never attribute healing power to anything other than Allah.

• Ruqyya Shariyyah (Islamic Ruqyya): This involves using Qur’anic recitations, duas, and supplications that are permissible in Islam. It is done to cure illnesses or alleviate harm caused by evil eye, black magic, or spiritual disturbance.
• Ruqyya (Unlawful/Improper Ruqyya): If the recitations involve anything that contradicts Islamic teachings (such as invoking jinn or polytheistic practices), it would be considered shirk (associating partners with Allah) and impermissible.

Method of Ruqyya:

• Recitation: The healer (or the one seeking healing) recites the Qur’anic verses or duas, often blowing or gently placing hands over the sick person’s body, particularly on the areas of pain.
• Blowing: The Prophet ﷺ is reported to have used his breath to blow gently on the patient after reciting verses, symbolizing the dispersal of healing and protection.

Healing Power of the Qur'an:

• The Qur’an is described as having a healing power in many places. For example, in Surah Al-Isra (17:82): "And We sent down in the Qur’an such things that have healing and mercy for the believers..."
• And in Surah As-Sajda (32:21): "And We sent down to you the Book in truth, confirming what came before it. Surely, Allah’s Word is full of healing and mercy."

The Role of the Healer:

While ruqyya involves seeking Allah’s help, it can be performed by someone who is knowledgeable in the practice, such as an Islamic scholar, a righteous person, or even the patient themselves. However, it’s crucial to remember that ruqyya is not a substitute for medical treatment. Islam encourages seeking medical care while also relying on spiritual healing.

In essence, the hadith you mentioned shows the Prophet ﷺ practicing ruqyya on his loved ones, calling upon Allah as the ultimate healer. The practice of ruqyya is about acknowledging Allah’s power in healing, understanding that no matter what treatment we seek, it is only through Allah’s will that healing can occur. The act of placing the hand and reciting prayers is a way to invoke Allah’s mercy, but it’s not just physical—it connects the spiritual and the physical realms, reinforcing the idea that Allah is the ultimate source of both physical and spiritual well-being.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our reference page: Supplications attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for more prophetic Supplications attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

Please refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet ﷺ of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given below. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

Photo | Source of Supplication | Help has been taken from ChatGPT for explanation of the hadith

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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